After listening to a talk about the rate of rhino poaching in South Africa, three Grade 12 Bishops Diocesan College boys in Cape Town in the Western Cape — Matt Perrott, Cal Tait and Chris Hyslop — felt that it is not enough to simply be aware of a problem, but that it is important to take action.

Rhinos in South Africa run the very real risk of becoming extinct in these boys’ lifetime. On 17 March 2016, they cycled out of Bishops on the start of a six-day 600 km cycle to Knysna to raise funds for Rhinos without Borders. The three boys are members of the Global Issues Network group at Bishops, which aims to nurture global citizens to build a just and sustainable future.

Riding for Rhinos has already raised over R136 000 in six weeks (see: www.givengain.com) and hope to meet a target of R200 000. The money raised will help Rhinos without Borders.

(http://www.rhinoswithoutborders.com/) to tag and take DNA samples from two rhinos in Phinda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal as part of a programme to relocate genetically diverse rhino to become part of a breeding herd in Botswana. Some of the money will also help to fund a rhino orphan in the Thula Thula game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal.

By raising money in this way, the boys have challenged themselves and have inspired others to think about how young people can make a real difference. The boys received a blessing from principal Father Wilke and a resounding send-off from all the boys at the college as they embarked on their journey. Messages of support for the cause can be posted at: https://www.facebook.com/RhinoCycle/timeline.